-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Six people were killed and six were injured when a small plane crashed at Cork Airport in southern Ireland on Thursday , local officials said .

Survivors were taken to a local hospital , the Cork County Council said .

Four of the injured are in serious but not critical condition , and the other two are `` comfortable , '' Cork University Hospital said .

The crash caused a fire and scattered debris over a large area , the Irish Aviation Authority said in a statement .

The plane crashed on its third attempt to land in low visibility , they said . The airport and roads around it were closed , officials said .

It was coming from Belfast in Northern Ireland . Flight NM7100 , an inbound Manx2 airline flight , was due to land at Cork Airport at 9:45 a.m. , the airport said .

Northern Ireland 's First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness expressed shock at the deaths .

Robinson called it `` a terrible tragedy , '' and said his thoughts were `` with the families of the bereaved . My thoughts are also with the injured and I hope that they will make a full and speedy recovery . ''

McGuinness sent his `` condolences to the families , friends and loved ones of those who have lost their lives in the plane crash . My thoughts are also with those who have been injured . ''

In Dublin , Ireland 's Prime Minister Brian Cowen said , `` my thoughts are with all of those affected by this morning 's crash , including the families and friends of those who have died . I also want to send my best wishes and those of the government , to all of those who survived the crash and are being treated in hospital at present .

`` I also want to commend the work of the various rescue crews and all of the emergency and support staff working to help those involved in the crash . ''

The aircraft involved was a Metro Liner leased from Flightline BCN in Spain , low-cost airline Manx2 said .

Irish and British experts will be involved in the crash investigation , authorities said .

CNN 's Carol Jordan and Peter Taggart contributed to this report .

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NEW : Four injured are in serious condition , while two others are `` comfortable , '' a hospital says

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The flight was coming from Belfast in Northern Ireland

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Northern Irish leaders express shock and hope the injured will recover quickly

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The plane crashed on its third attempt to land , authorities say